Darius Rucker - Learn To Live

Learn to Live Bottom Line:

For those of you who are not familiar with the name Darius Rucker, you need to be. He has been the lead singer for the smash group Hootie & The Blowfish for years, and now he is making his mark in country music. Ever since his first single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" was released, Darius has been tearing up the charts, and creating new fans along the way. Hearing his new album Learn To Live brings a breath of fresh air to country music.

About Darius Rucker

When Hootie & The Blowfish hit the charts back in 1994, no one had a clue what the future had in store for them. Darius Rucker was the lead singer. His voice has this rugged edge and their music was a mixture of rock, pop, country, and even blues. Covering such a wide range of genres, this opened up a world of opportunities for the band. Fans fell in love with their music and their lyrics. With smash hits like "Hold My Hand," "Only Want To Be With You," "Let Her Cry," and "Time," made their mark in the music industry as a fan favorite.

Even after dealing with declining record sales, The Blowfish still remained a hit when it came to selling out shows. Their fans have remained loyal through all of their ups and downs, and now there are new fans listening to Darius Rucker as a solo artist.

Over the past couple months, Darius Rucker has become a name that country fans have been talking about like crazy. He has made appearances all over the country, including a couple of appearances at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. I actually had the chance to see him perform live at the Opry and from the reaction of the fans, they love him. His music hits close to home, bringing to life some of the most difficult situations, along with some awesome acoustic sounds.

Regardless of where you think country music is going, Darius Rucker proves that it is here to stay and just as strong as ever.

Learn to Live - The Songs:

The first song on this record is called "Forever Road." This is a great tune that is full of the "Hootie & The Blowfish" sound, but still carries a sound of its own. There is a fiddle playing in the background, giving it a great country music sound. Also, the acoustic and electric guitar blends together, giving fans something unique to listen to. This is a great love song about two people who are on the right path and they are calling is "Forever Road."

"Don't Think I Don't Think About It" is the first single off Darius' debut country album and it is amazing. The first time I heard it, I wasn't impressed, but once I focused on the words and gave it a chance, it became clear that this song was great. We all have regrets, but seldom do people talk about them openly. Sometimes people think that others just move on and never look back. Well, this tune proves that is not the case. Darius grabs all of his regrets by the horns and acknowledges how he feels. This song belongs in the number one slot on every chart.

There are a few other songs that seriously need to be mentioned. One of those tunes is called "All I Want." This is such an interesting track and could be heard in an bar across the country. Country music is often given a bad rap, and people say it is only about losing your house, dog, wife, and anything else you want to add in. Well, Darius isn't losing anything in this song. He is willing to give it away. The only exception to this is his other half has to leave him alone. This song will have you in stitches by the time it is over.

The second single off this record is a clever tune titled "It Won't Be Like This For Long." There is no denying that Darius loves being a father and holds this role close to his heart. This is told from a fathers point of view. It mentions all of the little things that parents go through as their children are growing up. It explains everything from his daughter climbing into bed in the middle of the night, to her first day of school. It also proves that nothing should ever be taken for granted, because it won't last forever.

"Drinkin' And Dialin'" is a tune that many of us can relate to. At some point or another, either you or someone you know, has had one too many. Once this happens, verbalizing your true feelings about someone seems to be the most important on your agenda. Well, with the help of modern day technology, it is way too easy to just pick up a cell phone and call someone. Well, that is exactly what this song is about and even what some of the outcomes are. This is great tune and just proves why this record will be one of this years top albums.

"Be Wary Of A Women" brings this record to a close. For everyone who is still questioning the credibility of the album, this song is just like all of the other ones. It is country! Darius Rucker hit his mark on every single track, and had a hand in writing each one. Hopefully, Darius will continue to make country music from now on.

Release Date: September 16, 2008 - Capitol - Nashville

Learn to Live Track List:

1. Forever Road
2. All I Want
3. Don't Think I Don't Think About it
4. Learn To Live
5. If I Had Wings
6. History In The Making
7. Alright
8. It Won't Be Like This For Long
9. Drinkin' And Dialin'
10. I Hope They Get To Me In Time
11. While I Still Got The Time
12. Be Wary Of A Woman